Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1887-10-19
THE APACRES.

THE APACAES.
 Wlee ~esas ~ s~ oss ssaeeeyeM-
 pss en tho ostwasssN.
 We give space to the following con-
 munication, from Col, H. A. BiSelow
 to the Phenix Herald, on the proposed
 removal of 1900 Apaches to the Verde
 military reservation:
 Since the proposition to remove
 portion of the Indians from the San
 Carlos reservation to other sections was
 made by Gen. Miles, it has been discuss ed and freely commented upon by the
 press in Arizona and California, and
 the general opinion seems to be that
 the policy of such removal h surely un- wise. The reasons given by Gen. Aiies in his published letters, to one not e. ouainted with the character of the Apa- che Indians, seem to be plausible. The notion of giving the Indians lands in severalty-distributing them in families and small parties through the country,
 sounds well, and is endorsed by most of the bumsnitarians in Arizona e well e elsewhere-and the prosperity of the Choctaws and Cherokeee is referred to in support of the scheme. Those who are familiar with the Apachee are, with out exception. strong in their disap- proval of the proposed action.
 Leaving all other points in this con- nection, we will look at the one which most nearly concerns the people of Ne vapai. Maricopa and Apache counties, that is, the proposed return of the Apa- che Mo]aves, Apache Yumas, and Tcnto Apaches to the Verde Indian reserve ton. These were the tribes who had their homes in Tonto Basin, on the val leys of the Verde, Agua Fria, and the Hassayampa, when white settlers first came into northern Arizona, twenty years ago, and who, for twelve years, the civilized world by their in- daughter of men, women and children.
 In 1874, having been subdued by the united efforts of the settlers, and the troops under command of Gen. Crook, these Indians, to the number of over l 900, were gathered in upon the Verde reservation, from whence, two or three years later, they were taken to the San Carlos reservation. From that time to the present, life and prosperity has been as secure in northern Arizona as in any of the old States. The popula- ton of this section has rapidly increAs- d and is still increasing every year in greater proportions as the advantages of climate, fertility of soil, and graxing, are understood on one hand, and the variety and richness of our mines are demonstrated on the other.
 Farmers, cattle and sheep men fill our valleys and mountain ranges. Pros pectors and miners are roaming about, pr permanently ct work, in every direc- | ton with gratifying success.
 Into the heart of this peaceful com it is seriously proposed to re- turn these Apaches, giving among other that, being among the most of all the Indians at San Carlos, 1t is. better that they should be 'aken away. that they can be more easily controlled if placed on the Verde, hat they are not enjoying good health where they are now, and would do bet ter on the Verde, and that they can be l separated into families or small parties, md located upon Government lands l where they will become good citizens md be amenable to our laws, the game I ls other settlers.
 Against these plans the following | acts exist. While the Indians were on he Verde reservation, twelve or four cen years ago, they were an ever pres mt menace to the settler, and constant 7 c source of trouble
 They know every trail and hiding 'lace in the mountains which were heir homes in years past, and it is safe o predict that if brought to the Verde hey will not remain peacesbly on the Their unquiet, rowing dis 'osition viii certainly lead them to rs- isit their old haunts.
 The temptation to kill and devour an ccasional sheep or steer will be yielded D, trouble will begin by the rsscals tealing produce from the farmers, the esult will be that an Indian or . white nan will be killed, retaliation will en- ue, and an outbreak from the reserva- fen will follow. A dozen Indians in he Red Rock country northeast of the Verde, in Tonto Basin on the east. or he Squaw Creek range on the west, ould raise As much disturbance, kill e .any settlers, defy the troops ae suc- sssfully, and escape punishment with 5 much success as did Geronimo and is little band in the southeastern DOT on of the Territory.
 The oldest pioneers of shis section re mortified and excited over the proe- ect, and cay if the Indians are brought Ack, and it becomes necessary for each Ian to carry arms again, that no man's fe or property will be safe. that they i'll show no mercy to any Indian found ltside of the reservation, as no peace m be expected while they are at large. IL is evident. from A comparison of ews obtained from all parts of the orthern portion of this Territory, that ,e return of the Indians to the Verde